U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a stark warning to Cuba’s leadership, saying he believes the country is “in a lot of trouble” as Washington signals a tougher approach toward governments it accuses of propping up authoritarian rule in the region.
Rubio’s remarks came Sunday during an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, one day after a U.S. military operation resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. While stopping short of outlining specific next steps, Rubio made clear that Havana is firmly in the administration’s sights.
“I’m not going to get into future policies right now,” Rubio said, “but it’s no secret that we are not supporters of the Cuban regime — especially given its role in sustaining Maduro’s government.”
Allegations of Cuban involvement in Venezuela
Rubio claimed that Cuban personnel were deeply embedded in Maduro’s security and intelligence apparatus. According to the secretary of state, Cuban operatives were responsible for guarding Maduro and overseeing internal surveillance within his administration.
“He wasn’t protected by Venezuelans,” Rubio said. “He had Cuban bodyguards, and Cubans running internal intelligence to ensure loyalty.”
The Cuban government has long denied such allegations, but U.S. officials argue that Havana’s support was a key pillar keeping Maduro in power prior to his capture.
Trump administration escalates rhetoric
President Donald Trump echoed similar sentiments over the weekend, suggesting that Cuba could become a future focus of U.S. policy. Speaking to reporters, Trump described Cuba as a “badly failing nation” and said the United States wants to help both Cubans on the island and those who fled to the U.S.
Trump compared Cuba’s situation to Venezuela’s, framing both as cases where outside powers — including China, Iran, and Russia — had gained undue influence in the Western Hemisphere. He referenced the Monroe Doctrine, a cornerstone of 19th-century U.S. foreign policy, while asserting that his administration has expanded its scope to meet modern challenges.
Strong reaction from Havana
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel sharply condemned the U.S. military action in Venezuela, calling it “state terrorism” and urging the international community to respond. In a statement, the Cuban government denounced the operation as a violation of international law and expressed unwavering support for Venezuela.
“All nations in the region must remain alert,” the statement said, warning that U.S. actions pose a broader threat to Latin America.
Rubio’s long-standing hardline stance
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, has for years advocated a confrontational policy toward Cuba and Venezuela. As a U.S. senator, he supported regime change efforts in both countries and argued that U.S. military action could be legally justified if American interests were threatened.
He has previously asserted that Cuba benefits financially from providing security and intelligence services to Venezuela, and that disrupting those arrangements would weaken Havana’s leadership.
Rising regional tensions
The sharp rhetoric directed at Cuba follows Trump’s recent verbal attacks on other Latin American leaders, including Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, whom he accused of failing to stop drug trafficking.
Together, the comments reflect a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy toward more aggressive pressure on governments seen as hostile to American interests. While Rubio emphasized that no immediate action against Cuba had been announced, his warning underscored growing uncertainty for Havana as Washington recalibrates its approach to the region.
